3. Breakfast & Confessions
Breakfast & Confessions
KYIRIS
Ihung up with Mehki’s slick ass and didn’t realize how hard I was smiling until I heard Pryce’s voice.
“You look goofy as hell smiling like that.”
My head shot up from the phone in my hand that I had been carrying around as my own, and I bust out laughing.
I hated for him to see me being all girly and shit.
Once Pryce picked up on something, he wouldn’t let it go.
I guess that was the way we bonded because I always got on his ass soon as I saw him doing something that was out of his norm.
I was on his head for two weeks straight while he walked around lovestruck in the beginning of him and Dai getting to know each other.
He walked into the kitchen with two baby bottles in his hand and over to the sink. I’d stopped by earlier to see Dai and the baby, and he just so happened to be home.
“You worried ‘bout me smiling. You need to be worried ‘bout the baby up there wailing a few minutes ago. What y’all do to my girl?” I asked, changing the subject to a topic I knew he couldn’t talk enough about.
“Shit, that wasn’t me,” he said, twisting the top off the baby bottle to wash it.
“Dai was up there giving her a bath, and Ari was over that shit. She be tryna wash my baby everyday like she been out workin’ construction or something.
I almost cussed her ass out, so I left the bathroom.
I told her, if my baby wanna be funky, let her be cute and funky.
She trappin’. Same onesie two days in a row.
She was out here thuggin’ it wit’ her daddy. ”
“Babies don’t thug it, Mr. Grinch.” I laughed. “Ari not even two months yet, and you teaching her how to be trifling. And she so chubby, up underneath that neck has to be hit daily. I’m glad her mama got some sense.”
“That’s my baby though. I’ma teach her everything she need to know.”
“Lord, Dai don’t even know what she got herself into.”
He smirked. “Yes, she do. That’s why she promised me another one after Ari first birthday.”
“No, I did not.” Dai burst his bubble, walking into the kitchen with Ari on her chest.
He dropped the bottles in the sink and turned to her with his mouth twisted, face calling bullshit. “So, you gon’ lie and say you didn’t tell me that last night, bae?”
She snickered. “I was in a compromising position last night, Pryce. That don’t count.”
“You in a compromising position every night,” he countered. “So, you be tellin’ me anything when my di…”
“Oh, hell no.” I cut him off. “Come on, Ari.” I went to grab the baby from Adai’s arms and headed for the living room. “Ya parents ain’t got no couth.”
Dai laughed, following behind me. “That’s him.”
“Nah. That’s you not keeping your word, girl,” Pryce said, right behind her.
“What happened to you washing the bottles?” I asked, sitting on the loveseat.
He ignored me and sat on the arm of the couch, pulling Dai down on his lap. “Don’t worry ‘bout that. Hurry up and tell her who had you smiling all big a couple minutes ago.”
“Pryce, leave me alone.” I laughed.
“Bae, ask her.” He prompted Dai, who was cheesing just as hard as I was.
“Was it the man who left the phone in your bag?” she asked.
My eyes widened. “Oh, bitch. Next time, I’ma have you sign a confidentiality agreement. You get around yo’ man and just forget girl code.”
Dai giggled. “I’m sorry. I love you still.”
“Yeah. Yeah.”
“You let a nigga put they phone in yo’ purse, Key?”
I glanced down at Ari, who stared back at me with wide eyes, like she was waiting on my response too.
“I didn’t let him do anything. He just kinda slipped the phone in there without me noticing,” I said the last sentence a little quieter because I knew Pryce was about to do the most.
“That was stupid as fuck. How a nigga get his phone in ya purse without you noticing? Nigga could be tracking you and some mo’ shit.”
“Shut up. Ain’t nobody tracking me. And I’m grown.”
“Grown and dumb if you let a nigga get that one off.”
“Okay, Pryce,” Dai cut in.
“Girl, I ain’t paying his overprotective ass no attention.” I rocked Ari and played with her curls.
“You still got the phone?” he asked.
“Yep. I actually need to head out. I’m meeting up with him to give it back.”
“Where?”
“The diner.” Standing, I baby talked with Ari before handing her back to Dai.
“Mutual place.” Pryce nodded, stroking his goatee. “That was smart.”
“I know. With my dumb ass,” I said sarcastically and grabbed my bag from the couch, tossing the phone inside. “See you later, sis.” I kissed Dai’s cheek and the baby’s forehead. “Bye, nucca.” I mushed Pryce.
“Love you, dummy!” he yelled out to my back, making me laugh. Pryce got on my damn nerves.
I made sure to get to the diner before Mehki.
I thought about doing the exchange in the parking lot, but then, my stomach growled.
It usually did that when I was in the vicinity of Sullivan’s.
My stomach knew I needed to satisfy my Belgian waffle and maple bacon craving.
I had no way of texting Mehki to let him know the plan but figured he’d do the smart thing and just come inside once he arrived.
At least I hoped he did. It would completely turn me off if he didn’t have any common sense.
I walked inside, and the diner was semi packed as always.
Amil had built a gem. Most would even say Sullivan’s Diner was on its way to becoming a staple in the community, a hub for people to come out and enjoy good food and a family atmosphere.
I was greeted by warm smiles from the elderly, kids laughing, and the smell of honey, maple, and cinnamon.
How the cooks managed to keep the place smelling like fresh hot breakfast all day was a mystery I still couldn’t understand.
Spotting Danae at the register, I made my way over to her.
“Hey, boo,” she greeted, walking around the counter and pulling me into a hug.
“Hey, my Nae. What’s going on?”
“Work, girl. It’s been non-stop since I got here this morning. I love it though. It beats standing around idle, cleaning stuff that’s already clean.”
“That’s ‘cause you a busybody,” I joked.
“That too,” she agreed, giggling. “You picking up or dining in?”
“Dining in. I’m waiting on somebody.” Before she could question me, I started to walk off, only for her to follow me.
“Oh, uhnt uhn. Cover the register for me, Trish,” I heard her say to one of the waitresses. “Not you thought you was gonna slide that last part in and not spill tea, Ms. I Like To Be In Everybody Business.”
I laughed and couldn’t dispute the label, but I was only in everybody business because they always told me their business.
I couldn’t help that. Pretending to ignore her, I slid into a booth in the middle of the diner, facing the front door.
I liked to see the people coming in before they saw me.
Nae slid her happy ass right next to me.
“Aren’t you on the clock?”
“GM, babe.” She pointed to her name tag. “I don’t punch a clock. Talk to me.”
“I know dats right!”
“Yeah. Get into me.” She made her two fingers touch to clock it. “Now go head and spill. Who coming here?”
“Him.” I pointed toward the front just as Mehki walked through the door.
“Bitchhh. The nigga from the club?”
“Yes.” I laughed. “I’ll tell you more about it later. Go.” I pushed her out of the booth with my hips as he walked over.
“Shiiddd, I work here. I’ll be taking your order.” She stood with a big smile, pulling a guest check and a pen from her back pocket.
“What happened to you being the GM?”
“I still am. I ain’t too good to get in the field.”
Shaking my head, I turned to catch the grin that spread across Mehki’s face as he approached the table.
“We’re both on time,” he said. “That’s a good sign.”
“For you,” I replied, “yes, it is.”
“Mmhmm,” Danae let out, smirking. “Welcome to Sullivan’s Diner. What can I get you started with?”
Still standing like he was waiting for something, Mehki turned to Danae. “You mind if I get a minute to look at the menu?”
“Of course. How ‘bout you, love?”
“Bye, Nae. I’ll take an orange juice.”
Laughing, she curtsied like a fool and went on her way.
“Wassup, beautiful? Can I put my arms around you?”
“Sure.” I grinned. “Just gimme a second to close my purse.”
“Ahh, here you go.” He chuckled.
I got up and let him embrace me. It wasn’t a casual hug either. Mehki wrapped his arms around my waist, hugging me tight. He smelled just as good as he did at the club, maybe even better today.
“You smell good,” I complimented as he held me.
“You smell better,” he threw back.
“Corny but cute.” I giggled, pulling out of his embrace. “I’ll take it.”
He just smirked at me. Sitting down at the same time, I took his phone from my purse and held it out to him.
“I believe this belongs to you.”
He reached out, slowly taking it from me. “Oh, you wasn’t bullshittin’. You really charged it?” he asked in a tone that said he was shocked but impressed.
“As a courtesy, yes. And I didn’t want the police at my house.”
“Police?” His head went back and forehead creased.
“Yeah. One more call from Baby and an APB would’ve certainly gone out with your name on it.”
He laughed and put it away. “I took care of that. She knows I’m alive and well.”
“Good for her,” I said. “And now that she knows you’re alive, does she know you’re here with me?”
“Here’s your orange juice.” Danae’s appearance stopped him from responding. “So, y’all flirting or ordering?”
“I’m ordering,” I replied then pointed to him. “He’s flirting. I’ll have the Belgian waffle with maple bacon please and thank you.”
“I’ll have the same but turkey bacon instead.”
“Okay. I’ll put those in and get your food out shortly. Anything to drink for you, sir?” Danae asked, collecting our menus.
Mehki ordered apple juice and water. Once Danae was out of earshot, he spoke again.
“To answer your question, no, she doesn’t know I’m here with you. They know about you though.”